Monday, February 21, 2011

Today's Special - - Julia London

We are so excited to welcome Julia London to the Romance Dish today! Gannon and PJ had the pleasure of spending some time with Julia at a RWA conference and know that this popular author is as warm, friendly and genuine in person as she comes across online. Born on a ranch in West Texas, Julia's former career in government took her far from home, including a stint working in the White House. But Texas eventually lured her back and, luckily for us, this born storyteller turned her efforts to writing. The author of more than twenty books, Julia has been on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists, has been a four-time RITA finalist and the winner of the RT (Romantic Times) Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance. Her new book, A Light at Winter's End will be released tomorrow. (Read Gannon's review here.) For more information about Julia, visit her website (be sure to check out her unofficial bio!), like her on facebook and follow her on twitter. You can also find her blogging with fellow authors at Whine Sisters and the Goddess Blogs.

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Julia

I am frequently asked where I get my ideas, how I like writing both historical and contemporary settings, and how I got started in this business. I thought it might be fun for a change to tell you five things about me that might have crept their way into A Light at Winter’s End. This is a book about two sisters who face an extraordinary conflict with each other, and the lonesome cowboy who appears at a fence line one day and unwittingly steps into their conflict. If you read Summer of Two Wishes, you might want to know that the cowboy is Wyatt Clark, who comes to this novel with some baggage of his own.

1. I am hopelessly un-domestic. I don’t cook, I don’t decorate a house very well, and I have tried my hand at various crafts and either lose interest or really suck at it. In this book, Holly Fisher is a woman who has never had to make a home or cook a meal for anyone but herself. She doesn’t even have a fully equipped kitchen. So when her sister dumps her baby on her and disappears, she has no clue what to do. She doesn’t even know what she can feed the baby.

2. I grew up on a ranch in West Texas. A Light at Winter’s End is set on the edge of the western part of the state, but Wyatt’s ranch and cattle and horses are all things I grew up with.

3. I was forced—forced, I tell you—to take piano for ten years and violin for two when I was a kid. I don’t play either instrument worth a darn anymore, but I do have an appreciation for music and the construction of songs. Holly Fisher is a songwriter, and I think it would be so cool to be that. If I had another life, I would try harder at the music thing. I would want to be a songwriter and play all the different instruments.

4. I was once a public administrator and I know how mind-numbing that can be. For some people, it is truly a calling, and I knew some really fine public servants. But I was not a fine public servant. For me, it was stressful. I am a much better person when I am in a creative occupation. Hannah Drake, Holly’s sister, is in a stressful job that, on top of the dissolution of her marriage, helps to bring her down. My job didn’t bring me down in spectacular fashion like Hannah, but it did imbue me with the desire to move on. And here I am!

5. I love writing this sort of book as much as I love writing historical romance. I love creating these worlds and watching the characters take shape. I think all the characters I write are bits and pieces of people I have known. These three characters—Holly, Hannah, and Wyatt, are definitely bits and pieces of many people I have known and loved. I hope you enjoy reading about them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Thank you so much for having me here today! I am giving a signed copy of Summer of Two Wishes and a Starbucks gift card to one lucky commenter today!

I can relate to #1. I don't cook much, there are only a few things that I can cook really well. I also don't have much decorating sense. If I see a picture I like, I can adjust it but to come up with ideas on my own--not gonna happen.

Really looking forward to the next historicals, The Secrets of Hadley Green series. Really love historicals.

Woo HOO on the new release! Can't wait to read it. I can relate as well. I cook also because I "have to" not because I like it in any sense of the word. I've not killed us so I guess that is something ;). I don't have any decorating sense either. My sisters come to visit and redecorate my house while they are here. I became an accountant for a reason. LOL!

Hi Julia! We're so happy to have you with us today. Great blog! Believe me, it doesn't matter one bit to me if you can cook, decorate or play an instrument. You can write and for that I am oh so grateful. Love your books!

I am a bit envious of your running ability though. I'd love to be able to run but bad knees (and an abysmal lack of coordination) always trip me up...literally. Did you run the 5k this weekend?

Morning, Marybelle! I love to cook and bake. That's my creative outlet. I took piano and organ for many years. Loved the lessons, hated the practice and have pretty much forgotten everything I learned "back in the day." lol

Haha PJ! Well its the truth right? My mom still wants to kick my butt because she TRIED to get me in the kitchen with her while I was growing up but I never showed an interest. Now I've got my own family and I am winging it so to speak.

Oh, forgot to mention, played the flute for 9 years when I was younger and can't even get a decent sound to come out of the thing now. My daughter (age 6) has my original flute that I got way back in 4th grade so we'll see if she shows an interest when the time comes.

I'm with PJ, as long as you keep writing, it doesn't matter if you cook, craft or play music. ;-)

Now, I can cook, but there are days I just don't feel like it. That probably comes from having three kids who don't always want to eat what's on the menu at Chez Carr. Like I tell them, "I am not a short order cook, so if you don't like it, make something yourself." Aren't I a nice mom? LOL

I don't play any musical instruments, but I sang in chorus for years, so I can read music....more or less.

Good morning, Julia!! We're so happy to have you dishing with us today. Congrats on your newest release!

I love this blog! Like several of the others, I can totally relate to #1. I only cook out of necessity. LOL! And I wish I had taken piano lessons when I was younger. That's something I have always wished I could do.

Unlike you I love to bake and cook because it helps me to relax. The ironic thing is I'm a juvenille diabetic so I can't eat all the things I love to bake - thank goodness my husband and sons love to eat!

I agree about piano lessons - when I got as far as Rain, Rain Go Away my teacher suggested to my parents that I think of another artisitic endeavor. Unfortunately my ballet teacher also suggested anyother pursuit be considered. Yeah - All City Choir - I finally found my place in the arts.

I'm grateful that you found your passion in historical romance and thrilled that you came up with the theme of this book. I have family that live in Baggs, Wyoming and some traits of cowboys still remain the same.

I am somewhat domestic, okay, I can cook, but I hate to clean and hate dusting (which is why I have absolutely no knickknacks in my house to collect the dust). I wish I had the opportunity to learn the piano, instead my mother insisted on me learning the fife and flute (which I can still play but who wants to?) It definately sounds like an interesting read, and since its you as the author (I so adore your historical romances) and I adore everything and anything related to ranching/cowboys, it appears that I will have to put this on the top of my TBR list.

I should probably clarify that this is not historical romance. It is very current.

I am in awe of good cooks and especially bakers. I have toyed with the idea of taking a class, but then I'd have to start stocking up the kitchen with things like spoons and pots, and I think, nah..:-)

And thank you all so much for all the historical romance love! That will always be my first love. I mean, seriously, I get to put myself in a fabulous gown, a coach and a castle every. single. day. What's not to love?

Interesting post, Julia. :) I'm not that fond of cooking either. With lots of allergies and consequently having to substitute ingredients, it's not much fun for me. I would like to have learned to play a musical instrument though...that and be able to sing well.

I've read a little about your new release and is sounds so interesting with the 2 sisters and well i love cowboys so i'm hoping to pick it up at the store. I can cook well enough i guess but nothing fancy. I took some piano with voice lessons but wasn't good at the piano thing so i quit that part of it lol

I am excited about this new book and even more now that I read a little background behind your creations......I read One Season of Sunshine about 6 months ago and was my first book by you. I LOVED IT!!! So of course I had to know more about you and other books you have written. Summer of Two Wishes has been on my to-read list since but haven't found it yet. Excited about this offer and this new book!

Thanks, you guys for the warm welcome and all the nice things you say about my books! You know when you write for a living, and are on day three of that particular pair of yoga pants and are eating peanut butter out of the jar, you can trick yourself into thinking that as no one can see you, they don't read you, either...so the reaffirmations are really great. I appreciate it! And I am doing laundry as we speak! hahahaha

I am not a great housekeeper. I do like to cook because I love to eat. I would much rather read a book then dust. I will swiffer the kitchen floor, vacuum and do dishes but the rest of it annoys me *wink*. If only I was wealthy enough to have a housekeeper who could be annoyed with me.Love & Hugs,Pam

Gannon, no kidding, I saw a chocolate chip cookie recipe that looked delicious. I looked down the list and how to prepare it, and I needed one of those hand held beater things, so I turned the page. I can get cookies at Starbucks, LOLOLOL

Julia, I love that those of us who love both historical and contemporary books are getting the best of both worlds from one of our favorite writers. Do you have plans for more contemporary stories within the next couple years?

Hi Julia well I use to cook but since DH MVA he is home all the time so he took over the cooking, There is nothing like his Open FIRE cooked Chickens.Always wanted to play piano could never afford lessons when I was young now that I can the hands wont cooperate.I am so excited about the release of A Light at Winter's End I love the premise of the Story.Have a good one Ann/alba

Julia, I loved reading about your past life and present book. I share some of your likes and dislikes, although I cook when I'm in the mood. Had to with a family. I agree with the commentor who said the other things aren't important; the important thing is your writing. Just re-read The Courtesan's Scandal. Looking forward to reading more of your books, soon.

P.J., I do have plans for a new series, but right now, I am finishing up the Hadley Green series. Talk about fun :-).

As to not being a domestic goddess, I didn't really realize how sorry I am until I was stuck in a hotel room somewhere in a bad storm, and all I could get was HGTV. I had never watched HGTV before, and I was hooked. But then I saw how great these houses looked and thought maybe I should take down my Journey poster. hahahaha!

I am a competent cook but with a family around it sometimes feels as if the majority of my life is spent in the kitchen. And is it my imagination but does dinner come at least 10 times a week? Please keep writing. Writers are my inspiration that there is so much more out there in life! And as my family grows and needs me less, maybe it will be my turn to try my hand at writing down those stories that appear while I am stirring some concoction over a hot burner...

Thanks again, everyone, for coming out today. I am back and once again faced with the dilemma of what to make for dinner that is easy and fast and requires little or no skill. I think one of the best days of my life was discovering mac and cheese in a cup. Just add water.

I wish I could say I don't cook because I get so tired of doing it. I cook about every day and its so hard to come up with different things to cook. I think I am burnt out on everything. Also hubby is a picky eater and want try new things. If its easy to fix he want eat it. I love your books so keep up the good work.

Hi julia, I can do all of the things thar you and your heroine bemoan. Things I cannot do are the ones I treasure in the writers that I follow. So don't sweat the small domestic stuff, you makes so many people happy with your writing and that is a true gift that we all appreciate.

Hi JuliaI can totally relate to numbe 1. I don't cook well. I can do the easy stuff, spaghetti, mac and cheese LOL and I can grill a mean chicken on the george forman LOL Every once in a while I will surprise myself and my husband by being able to follow a complex recipe. Once in a blue moon :) Your a new author for me and I can't wait to read one of your books

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